Searching for the Best Crewed Charter Yachts
June 28, 2008
Count the Costs
When comparing prices be selective in your final decision. Make sure the yacht will meet all your needs at the listed price. Are there additional fees that they have not made you aware of? Ask the yacht company to give you a detailed list of exactly what their charter includes. Are the wine and beverages included, docking fees, fuel, recreational activities, etc.?
Ask for References
Most of these crewed charter yachts have websites. The website should have information on the various yachts they represent. A yacht’s specifications and equipment will most likely be listed. You should charter a yacht that is a substantial ocean going vessel that can offer a high level of comfort and sea worthiness. The captain’s names should be available with their resumes and those of the rest of the crew. Security is an important issue in today’s world. Inquire what precautions they have taken and what type of security they provide. Medical situations could arise and you need to know how their company would handle an emergency situation. This should be an experience of a lifetime so you want to make sure all the bases are covered before you leave port.
Other considerations would be: How large of a yacht will you need? Where would you like to sail to? How many people will be traveling with you and how old are they? Yachting is supposed to be relaxing and luxurious, you do not want to be worrying about your children or older friends being safe and comfortable.
Relax, Let the Captain Do the Driving
Ideally you have taking care of all the details months in advance. All you have to do now is count the dolphin swimming along side your private yacht while sampling delicious breakfast fare set out on the lido deck by the quietly attentive crew. Later you will enjoy an afternoon of scuba diving near the shores of a remote island. After your gourmet dinner you can soak in the upper deck’s jacuzzi while watching one of the many tropical sunsets you will experience each evening.
After a day of water activities you may wish to relax in the salon with a refreshing cocktail and freshly prepared appetizers and watch TV or view a movie. For the evening meal you will be treated to a dinner that may include an international cuisine or perhaps, freshly caught fish by yours truly, prepared by a professionally trained chef. You may want to dine on the lido deck watching beautiful sunsets. You may choose to have your meal served in an elegantly decorated dining room of your beautiful charter yacht.
If you have made all the proper arrangements and asked all the right questions your vacation aboard a privately crewed charter yacht will not be one you will soon forget.
Finding The Right Cruise For You
June 6, 2008
The most popular cruise destinations now are the Mediterranean, the Caribbean and Alaska. Here is how to choose the perfect region for your next cruise…
— THE MEDITERRANEAN
Most cruises focus on one of two regions…
- Western Mediterranean, including the west coast of Italy, the French Riviera, southern Spain and Portugal and perhaps Tunisia or Gibraltar.
- Eastern Mediterranean. This includes the Greek isles, Turkey, Croatia and the east coast of Italy.
Mediterranean highlights: Some people fall in love with Rome and Venice. Others prefer less heralded cities, such as Lisbon, Portugal, and Split, Croatia.
When to go: The high season runs from late April through early November. The best deals and weather are in late April and May, before crowds arrive, or September and October, after they leave.
— THE CARIBBEAN
There are three basic itineraries…
- Western Caribbean is best for those who want beaches, with an occasional visit to a historic site.
Mediterranean Cruises – What Are They About?
June 6, 2008
A Mediterranean cruise is ideal for the traveller not wanting to visit some of Europe’s most fantastic sights by land.
To get a good taste of Europe without the hassle of travelling by land, take a Mediterranean Cruise.
There are advantages over a land trip around Europe, whilst on your Mediterranean Cruise all your accommodation, transport, food, drinks and normally any port taxes are paid for, almost like an all inclusive holiday but on the sea.3
The majority of cruise lines sail around the Med all year but some are mainly in the summer months, May to September.
It is an important factor when choosing a cruise to research where the ship will dock as the itineraries focus on the port names, for example if you wish to visit Rome, the ship will dock in Civitavecchia and a transfer to the city will then take you to and from the port. On average transfers can take a while so if you choose to see the sights by yourself instead of the actual guide from the cruise make sure you make the transfer back!
Cruising For The First Time
June 6, 2008
If you’re like a great many people, you’ve often thought about going on a cruise, but you’re hesitant to really give it a try. Perhaps you don’t know if you’d enjoy the experience, or maybe you think that it would cost too much or that you’d be bored or overtaken by seasickness.
If you’re concerned that you may become seasick, here’s a news flash for you - cruise liners have been built for many years with stabilizers that limit the rocking motion of the waves. Some cruise ships even have billiard tables that adjust to stay level, so the waves are not a problem!) And seasick pills are quite effective - you can take them before you have a chance to get sick.
Plenty to Do
If you’re afraid that spending your days at sea could become tedious or boring, take a cruise to the Caribbean or along one of the coasts where you land in a different port just about every night. Read more
